Grass fires more dangerous in area during wildfire season

With unusually warm temperatures this spring, it seems that wildfire season in Michigan has arrived earlier than expected.

“Typically, fire season begins further into April, but because of the dry spell we’ve had, it’s earlier,” said Al Welsheimer, chief of the Resort-Bear Creek Fire Department.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, as heat from the sun warms and dries grass and trees (or wildfire fuels), it makes them easier to ignite.

Wind also plays a large part in drying fuels.

In addition, it can affect the size, direction and speed of a spreading fire.

Welsheimer said, although wildfire danger is something residents throughout the state need to be aware of, he says Emmet and Charlevoix county residents are less likely to see the affects of a large forest fire.

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“We don’t tend to have the red pine and jack pine like they do down in Gaylord or Grayling ... we see more of the grass fires,” he said. “The typical fires we get are the people cleaning up leaves or brush, and the wind picks up and it gets away from them.”

In his 28 years as a firefighter in Emmet County, Welsheimer said the largest wildfire he’s witnessed was around 20 years ago near Alanson, which burned five acres.

“I just remember we were called in ... just about everybody was called in ... the DNR was there,” he said. “It started somewhere around where (Powers Road) and Luce Street meet ... with the ground being so dry, and the fire preheating the fuel with it being on a hill, it ignited quicker — you never want to be on the upside hill of a fire.”

Welsheimer said, for the most part, grass fires in the area have been easily contained since then.

However, he said, even though the threat of a catastrophic wildfire is not the same in Emmet and Charlevoix counties, a grass fire can still cause significant damage if it were to get out of hand.

“A grass fire can get out of control and take out structures like a forest fire,” he said. “Because of the open areas and the wind, it will move very quickly.”

Welsheimer said residents can take several precautions to prevent this from happening.

“If you are burning, have a hose close by, a couple buckets of water or a shovel, so if it gets out of hand, you can at least attempt to keep it contained until we get there,” he said. “Also, be aware of your surroundings, and the changes in weather ... it could be a sunny, nice day, and then all of a sudden, it becomes windy — don’t take a chance, put the fire out.”

For more information about wildfires, or to obtain a burning permit, visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Web site, www.michigan.gov/dnr, then click on the “wildfire prevention tips” link, under the spring wildfire season information.